| In business, you hear a lot about ROI (Return on Investment). Companies are constantly evaluating the amount of effort needed to generate better profits. In many cases, a moderate amount of focused effort up front can yield enormous benefits down the road. Response to Intervention (RTI)* is like ROI for schools! It’s a planned, multi-tiered approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and/or behavioral needs, as well as students who are exceptionally gifted. Properly implemented, RTI can create a comprehensive cultural shift in your school that can increase student achievement while reducing behavioral problems. |
Key Components
The RTI process includes four key components:
1) High quality, evidence-based instruction in all general education classes
2) Universal screening in K-2nd; select screening in 3rd-12th
3) Three tiers of progressively more intense instruction (as needed)
4) Continuous progress monitoring of all identified students (based on data)
RTI Teams
RTI teams meet routinely to assess student data and to propose solutions where growth does not meet expectations. Often this work is divided between two types of teams: data teams and intervention teams.
Data Teams focus on systemic needs, not individual students. This happens at both the building and district level. Data Team formation and duties vary slightly from district to district, but should meet the requirements and recommendations of the Arkansas Department of Education.
Intervention Teams focus the needs of individual students. This happens primarily at the building level, although the district Intervention Team meets periodically to review results. As with Data Teams, Intervention Team formation and duties vary slightly from district to district, but should meet the requirements and recommendations of the Arkansas Department of Education.
Additional Points
It’s important to note that RTI is not a pre-referral system for special education. Instead it’s a systemic method of helping ALL students achieve their maximum potential. The graphic at the top (from DESE) provides a visual representation of how the process is designed to work.
RTI continues to be a major focus statewide, although some changes appear to be in the works with the new AR THRIVE initiative (see note below). DESE provides a series of RTI video training modules (teachers can click here to log in), and RTI Arkansas has details about the state’s expectations.
And if you’d like to dig deeper, the American Institute for Research provides a wealth of information on RTI though the Center on Response to Intervention.
* A similar system called MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support System) exists in many states. MTSS is broader in scope than RTI, and this terminology is more descriptive of the program goals. It also reflects the fact that multiple levels of support in Core Classroom Instruction play a key role in the process. (An effective Tier 1 can be up to 80% of the entire process.) In March 2022, Arkansas began what appears to be an expansion into MTSS.